There are more than 500 kids in Passaic and Union counties who are part of the foster care system, and volunteers are urgently needed to train as advocates.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Passaic and Union Counties will fully train all volunteers; no special experience is necessary. The only prerequisites are that you are at least 21 and attend an info session. After the 36 hours of training you’ll undergo court observation and a background check, and then you’ll be sworn in by a Family Court judge.
Even though the formal training starts on February 24 in Wayne, you can choose to help out a child or sibling group in either Passaic or Union counties. You’ll visit your child monthly, speak to anyone who may be involved in their legal case, and submit reports and recommendations directly to the judge.
“The CASA volunteer is often the one consistent adult in a child’s life while they navigate foster care,” Erica Fischer-Kaslander, executive director of Child Focus, of which CASA of Passaic and Union Counties is a program, says in her call to action. “Our dedicated and passionate volunteers ensure each child’s voice is heard, their needs are met, and a safe and stable future is prioritized.”
Upcoming sessions will be held at Child Focus, 415 Hamburg Turnpike, Suite D2, Wayne, in Passaic County:
- Monday, February 2, at 12 pm or at 5:30 pm
- Thursday, February 5, at 12 pm
- Saturday, February 7, at 10 am
- Monday, February 9, at 5:30 pm
- Thursday, February 12, at 12 pm
Upcoming Union County information sessions are:
- Wednesday, February 4, at 2 pm, at the Elizabeth Office, 2nd floor, 1143 East Jersey St., Elizabeth
- Wednesday, February 4, at 5 pm, at Mountainside Library, 1 Constitution Plaza, Mountainside
- Wednesday, February 18, at 12 pm, at the Elizabeth Office, 2nd floor, 1143 East Jersey Street, Elizabeth
- Wednesday, February 18, at 5:30 pm, at the Colleen Fraser Building, 300 North East Ave., Westfield
Register now for an info session at www.casapassaicunion.org/info-session.
CASA of Passaic and Union Counties is a program of Child Focus, which prioritizes the needs and well-being of infants, children, and teens impacted by, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. For details about CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, call 973-832-4002, email [email protected], or log on to www.casapassaicunion.org.
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